Fire roasted tomatoes have a smoky, spicy flavor that is easy to pick up in any dish. Slowly cooked to develop the perfect flavor, fire roasted tomatoes are versatile and can be used in many different dishes. They are perfect additions to soup, pizza, pasta, casseroles, and dips.
Despite our love for fire roasted tomatoes, this ingredient is not always available at the grocery store. During certain times of the year, they can be hard to find.
Fire roasted tomatoes can be replaced with fresh diced tomatoes, canned tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, tomato puree, or tomato paste.
It can be hard to substitute other types of tomato products for fire roasted tomatoes, since this product has such a distinct flavor. Yet, with a little creativity and ingenuity, it can be done.
Fire Roasted Tomatoes Replacements
Although there are many options to use in place of fire roasted tomatoes, none of them are able to provide the developed flavor this ingredient has to offer. However, many of these replacements come close. Let’s take a look at all the options available as substitutes for fire roasted tomatoes:
1. Fresh Diced Tomatoes
Simple, easy to find, and quick to prepare, fresh diced tomatoes are the most straightforward substitute for fire roasted tomatoes. The main difference between these two types of tomatoes is that fresh diced tomatoes are not cooked, so they don’t have the same flavor profile of fire roasted tomatoes.
You can certainly spice up freshly diced tomatoes with spices, like cumin and chili powder, but it simply won’t develop in the same way. You can also modify the taste of your dish by selecting different varieties of fresh tomatoes to use, including Roma, Beefsteak, Sunburst, etc.
2. Canned Tomatoes
Another good substitute for fire roasted tomatoes are canned tomatoes, which will provide the same texture. Canned tomatoes are already cooked, as well, so they can be easily thrown into any dish or dip.
Canned tomatoes are also cheaper than other substitutes for fire roasted tomatoes.With canned tomatoes, you will also get a longer shelf life. Just be sure to check the ingredients to make sure there aren’t too many additives in your selected brand.
3. Sun-Dried Tomatoes
This is the best replacement for fire roasted tomatoes in terms of flavor. Sun-dried tomatoes have been preserved through a drying process directly in the sun, which requires a marinade that seals in flavor. They lose water and shrivel up during the process, but the flavor they develop is unmistakable.
Sun-dried tomatoes are salty and savory, which reminds us of the smoky flavor of fire roasted tomatoes. They also store well with a long shelf life, which is similar to canned fire roasted tomatoes.
4. Tomato Puree
Featuring a different look and texture than fire roasted tomatoes, tomato puree can be used in a pinch. Fresh tomatoes are cooked, strained, and mashed until a thick puree is formed. You can add ingredients, such as the following, to give your tomato puree a flavor that resembles fire roasted tomatoes:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Chilies
- Cumin
Tomato puree can be stored on your pantry shelf when it is canned or in your freezer when it is homemade and frozen. It is typically used for sauces and soups, due to its consistency.
5. Tomato Paste
A bit thicker than tomato puree, tomato paste can be used in lieu of fire roasted tomatoes when you are in a pinch. The tomatoes used to make this paste have been cooked for hours, strained, and mashed, which allows them to develop a nice flavor.
In fact, the flavor of tomato paste is so strong it can be a turn-off. Tomato paste has to be watered down before use for this reason. However, it is a much cheaper option than many other alternatives to fire roasted tomatoes.
Can I Make My Own Fire Roasted Tomatoes?
If you are bound and determined to not have to use a substitute for fire roasted tomatoes, there is a way for you to make this delicious canned good staple at home. Follow these instructions to ensure you never have to find a fire roasted tomato replacement.
Gather Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Salt
- 500g of Fresh Tomatoes
Instructions:
- Wash tomatoes and cut lengthwise.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Arrange the tomatoes on a baking sheet, drizzling olive oil on top and adding salt to taste.
- Broil in the oven for 20 minutes. Rotate the tomatoes halfway through.
- After cooking, cool and chop. Remove dark bits of charred skin.
- Use immediately or freeze and store.
